The 8th Annual Royal Canadian Air Force Assoc. 904 (Lake Chapala-Mexico) Wing golf tournament was held February 6 at the Chapala Country Club under perfect skies.
The 76 golfers took part in a successful event and 131 people enjoyed a sumptuous pit roasted pig dinner. Prizes were generously donated by local restaurants and a good time was had by all.
Tepehua
The Tepehua Community Center Dental Clinic is in urgent need of a volunteer dental hygienist or dentist, or even two. Currently, there are more mouths than can be handled by existing volunteers.
The Dental Clinic is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. If you are have always wanted to help and have the skills, now is the time to put your talent where the mouths are. Call Wanda Cowlishaw at (376) 766-2789 for more information.
Closet cleaning opportunity
It’s time for spring cleaning, and what better way to accomplish it than to get your house organized, while helping your community. Next month, Lakeside Presbyterian Church holds its annual bazaar - this year is bigger and better than ever.
It’s one of the most popular and eagerly-awaited events of its kind, offering items from jewelry and collectibles, books, home décor, furniture and linens, tools, electronics, baked goods, clothing – you name it, and perhaps you’ll find it at the LPC Charity Bazaar!
All proceeds go to six Lakeside charities, from Jocotepec to Chapala. LPC Bazaar earnings further education in general, supporting students attending from primary to university level, as well as women’s health projects. Additionally, the Bazaar contributes to compassionate feeding programs, an orphanage and a multitude of needy Mexican families, including the very young and very old.
The need is great, and every little bit helps. Whatever you can contribute while spring cleaning will be more than welcome, and truly make a difference to those who need it most. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is in Riberas del Pilar, Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 231, just west of S&S Auto. Drop off contributions from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday through February 21, or whenever the church is open. For pick-up, call Betty at 766-4292.
LPC’s Bazaar will be held at the church Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more details, see the LPC Bazaar advertisement in this newspaper.
LCS Caribbean Fest
Time is running out to book table reservations for the annual Lake Chapala Society (LCS) annual Fiesta Latina. The lively event wrapped around a Carribbean theme will be held Saturday, February 22, 2:30 to 6 p.m., on the LCS campus at 16 de Septiembre 16-A. The 450 pesos per person admission fee gets you in the door to savor the special menu catered by Roberto’s Restaurant, shake your booty to the beat of live and canned tropical tunes, and bid on an array of great items up for grabs in a silent auction.
Tickets may be purchased at Opus Boutique, Morelos 15; Diane Pearl Colecciones, Ocampo at Colon; and the LCS grounds.
History Club
The next meeting of the Lake Chapala Society History Club will be on Monday, February 17, 2 p.m. on the grounds of the society. The LCS History Club discusses matters of history and science. All are welcome. Membership in the LCS is not required for admission.
LCS seminars
The Tuesday, February 18 seminar (noon–1:15 p.m.), available for Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members, will be chaired by Fred Harland. It features (via TED Internet podcast) Janine Shepherd talking on “A broken body isn’t a broken person.”
Cross-country skier Shepherd hoped for an Olympic medal – until she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. She shares a powerful story about the human potential for recovery. Her message: you are not your body, and giving up old dreams can allow new ones to soar.
The February 18 Neill James lecture “ Modern Mexico: Overview” is presented by Dr. Rick Rhoda and begins at 2 p.m. Rhoda asks; “Is Mexico a player on the world stage?” “How does it compare to other nations?”
LCS bus trips
The LCS bus on Thursday, March 6 heads to Guadalajara’s Galerias Mall, which boasts a wide range of stores and restaurants, including Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy, Home Store, H&M, Costco, Sams, Walmart, Mega, Outback, Chilis, Applebee’s and more. The bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19, the bus first stops at the Idea Store (similar to an Ikea store) in the Plaza Ciudadela. After spending a couple of hours there, the destination will be the plush Andares Mall. The bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 25, the destinations are the crafts centers of Tonala and Tlaquepaque (the Forum Mall with its many stores may also be visited). The bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.
The price for the three aforementioned trips is 250 pesos.
On Wednesday, March 12, the trip is to the spacious Guadalajara Zoo. This trip costs 320 pesos, including visits to the aquarium and safari, and a train ride (350 pesos if going on the skyride). The bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m.
Freethinkers
The Lakeside Freethinkers, whose members reject religious belief and rely upon science and reason to guide their lives, will hold their regular third-Wednesday-of-the-month meeting on Wednesday, February 19. A member will ask “Tough Questions for Freethinkers,” one of which will be “How does a freethinker determine right from wrong?” Questions such as this are sure to be followed by lively discussion, so this meeting promises to be a very interesting one. During or following it, members will, as always, enjoy socializing by dining together. For information, please e-mail Ken Crosby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LCS Singles
The “Swingin’ Singles” group is at it again, with a “February Fling” at Los Telares on Thursday, February 20. Starting at 5 p.m., the Fling will features 2 for 1 margaritas and wine, specially priced dinners and live music for dancing. Admission is 20 pesos.
Cooking workshop
Jaltepec Centro Educativo’s Second Master Chef “Hands On” Cooking Workshop on Thursday, February 20 features Number Four Restaurant chefs Glenroy Anderson from Jamaica and Diego Rios from Mexico. These creative chefs have impeccable credentials and will feature both Caribbean and Mexican dishes with a fusion dessert.
The menu, announced this week, consists of: a duo appetizer of crispy coconut shrimp with spicy and sweet tamarind dipping saucel followed by (Jamaica meets Mexico) boneless chicken thigh, in a Jamaican-style “jerk” marinade and imported Canadian Vacio (beef) with famous Puebla style chocolate mole, served with a duo of white and sweet potato mash, ”coral” and wilted garlic spinach. The dessert is Cacao and ginger creme brule.
This unique cooking experience takes places in the facility’s mini kitchen laboratory. Refreshments will be served at 9.30 a.m. and the presentation will start at 10 a.m., finishing around 2:30 p.m.
The price, inclusive of all ingredients used is 800 pesos per person. You can bring your own wine, or purchase a glass with lunch.
For further information, or to make reservations, contact Stacey Hewitt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This presentation is made possible by the generous contribution by Kim Everest of Number Four Restaurant. The net profits will benefit the students of Jaltepec Centro Educativo.
Pet food drive
The monthly pet food drive will be held on Thursday, February 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Animal Shelter pet food store in Riberas del Pilar.
This event occurs on the third Thursday of every month thanks to the support of Geoffrey Kaye and the assistance of Animal Buddies representatives who will be present to help.
With your purchase you help the Shelter cats as well as Anita’s Animals, or your choice of animal rescue group. You can make a purchase of dog or cat food anytime if you are unable to come to the food drive. When making your purchase, inform the store clerk whether the pet food is for Anita’s Animals, or another animal rescue group, and the Animal Shelter will hold your donation purchase for pickup.
After you have made this purchase, you will need to contact the designated rescue group you have selected. Please let that group know that there is a paid food purchase made by you waiting to be picked up at the Shelter.
Presbyterian auction
LPC has mushroomed from a few individuals meeting in a private home only five years ago, to tackling an ambitious building project, with ample space for education, community activities and outreach. Present church facilities cannot accommodate this growing congregation.
Ever the innovators, LPC will sell all sorts of tempting items at a February 22 auction in aid of their building fund. Among the offerings: a 5,000-peso gift certificate from a Lakeside jeweler, a boat ride for six people (lunch included), dinner certificates at Lakeside’s better restaurants, complete dinners hosted at Lakeside homes, all-inclusive trips, Bed & Breakfast stays, and (possibly) free rounds of golf at Chula Vista and Vista del Lago. There will also be a silent auction of jewelery, china, pottery, gift certificates, plus a quilt, to name just a few items, and even furniture for sale.
There will be a cash bar for wine, beer and soft drinks, and a bake sale table will offer home-made goodies. By the time your read this, there will be more good stuff on offer.
The LPC auction promises to be an entertaining occasion for all. Mark your calendar for February 22, 2 p.m. at Strom White Movers, west on the Carretera. Remember, “the early bird gets the best picks!”
Open Circle
At the Open Circle meeting on Sunday, February 16, Arlene Schubert will talk about relationships, what has worked and not worked in her own life and how she has learned to transform them to be more expansive and fulfilling. Open Circle begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Schubert was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, famous for its dysfunctional communications. This early-life experience inspired her longtime interest in family bonds and relationships. Her background includes coursework with Context Associated, Inc., Landmark Education, The Open Organization, The Gottshaw Foundation, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous and Parents Anonymous.
She and her husband, the Reverend Tim Schubert, founded the Lake Chapala Center for Spiritual Living in Ajijic, where they have lived full time for the last five years. She presently teaches classes and coaches individuals and couples in relationship building and how to find common ground and joy within them. She and her husband will begin a couple’s workshop in late February exploring how to strengthen and deepen your current relationship.
Mid-week Matinee
The Little Chapel by the Lake is beginning a new program that Rev. Gene Raymer calls a “Mid-week Matinee.” Twice a month on Wednesdays there will be a movie shown at the church.
Movies will begin at 4 p.m. Free drinks and popcorn or similar snack will be served.
“Our first movie will be ‘Luther’ and we will allow time afterwards for an open discussion,” Raymer promises. While some selections will be inspirational, others will be solely for entertainment purposes. Raymer notes that one unnamed source was hoping “Ice Age” would be one of the selections. All will be rated G or PG so youngsters are welcomed.
The church is located on the mountain side of the Carretera in Chula Vista just east of the golf course.
Little Chapel
The Little Chapel by the Lake will continue its regular Sunday services on January 16. The 10:30 a.m. refreshment time shared with the Anglican Fellowship Lakeside will be followed by the worship service at 11:15 a.m.
“Love is ...” is the title of Rev. Gene Raymer’s message and will take an unusual look at First Corinthians 13. Following the worship service, members of the congregation will go to Roberto’s Restaurant for lunch and fellowship.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is an interdenominational congregation and welcomes all Christian believers to all their activities. The church is located on the mountain side of the Carretera in Chula Vista just east of the golf course.
Spiritual Living
The Reverend Tim Schubert continues with the theme of love by presenting “Heartbreak Hotel” – facing love lost- prevention, survival and going beyond – at the Center for Spiritual Living (Nicolas Bravo 17, Ajijic) on Friday, February 21, from 5-6 p.m. A social hour follows.
Practicing Compassionate Communication begins Wednesday, February 26 (10:30 a.m.-noon) and continues through April 16. This class is about having satisfactory conversations with friends, partners, family and difficult people in our lives in a mindful and empathic way. The program begins with an optional meditation from 10 to 10:20 a.m., followed by the group from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The Spanish Group that is discussing “The Ten Concepts of Science of Mind” will meet on Thursdays at Calle 16 de Septiembre 30 from 7-9:30 p.m.
For information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 766-0920, or see www.cslchapala.com.
Presbyterians
On Sunday, February 16, Pastor Ross Arnold continues his series of sermons based upon The Lord’s Prayer. His sermon is “That the Kingdom Might Come.” The Lord’s Prayer is found in both the books of Matthew and Luke; Jesus’ disciples had asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” And from this simple and direct request came the most beautiful and all-encompassing prayer ever.
Jesus talked more about the Kingdom of God than any other subject, but what does it mean, especially in relation to praying that God’s Kingdom would come? And when we ask that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in Heaven,” what are we really saying?
Pastor Arnold peels away layers of The Lord’s Prayer to reveal unsuspected meaning in this most-beloved of texts. He always manages to bring fascinating and fresh insights to any passage we thought we understood well.
Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m. Following the service, there is fellowship and refreshments. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is in Riberas del Pilar, on the mountain side of the Carretera, between S&S Auto and Vigolari.
Unitarians
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A, Ajijic.
Sunday, February 16 is annual Writers’ Sunday. The speakers at the service will be five members of the Fellowship’s Writers’ Group: Bonnie Philips, Sue Kelley, Kathy Koches, Ana Ellsworth and Liz Moulder, who will present a variety of their original stories and poems. A coffee hour will follow the service.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
“People who want to be good have problems with Jesus.” These will be the opening words of Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon at St. Andrew’s this week, entitled “The Futility of Being Good.” At almost every turn Jesus frustrated those who insisted that right behavior was the key to being right with God. That frustration wasn’t confined to the first century; even today large numbers of faithful people seem convinced that faith means following certain rules, rules that seem to differ with every denomination. But that’s not the Gospel. What is the Gospel? Well, for that, you’ll need to show up for either the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. worship service at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, February 16. There’s fellowship, refreshment, and welcome time in the garden between services, and, if you’re of a certain age, the children’s Sunday School begins at 10:45 a.m. St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, just a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.